The Oak Ridges Steering Committee (Toronto Council Subcommittee on the Oak Ridges Moraine) has completed its mandate and is no longer active. The following information is provided for archival purposes.

 Why is this green belt important to Toronto?
 What is Toronto doing to help the environment?
 What action is needed?
 How can I help?

Why is this green belt important to Toronto?

The moraine's sands and gravel deposits filter rain and snow melt. This underground water is then stored through layers of sand and gravel (aquifers), filtered, and slowly released as cool fresh water to the 65 rivers and streams flowing north into Lakes Simcoe and Scugog and south into Lake Ontario.

Development on the moraine will have significant effects on the overall health and quality of life in the region including ecological and biological diversity; groundwater; water quality; and water quantity within the watersheds of the Greater Toronto Area.

The moraine is under intense development pressure right now.

If this should happen, the continuity of the moraine and its green space would be severed and the impacts on water quality, wildlife and plants would be profound.

What is Toronto doing to help the environment?

• Toronto is remediating several wetlands such as Centennial Creek Eco Park and naturalizing watercourses.
• The City's Tree Advocacy Program has planted 60,000 trees.
• We are testing innovative techniques to improve water quality in our watercourses (High Park, Emery Creek).
• There are plans to revitalize the waterfront and clean up the contaminated portlands.
• The City is undertaking the Wet Weather Flow Master Plan to deal with storm water overflows and working to eliminate sewage in the rivers and Lake Ontario.
• Toronto has a program to reduce pesticide use on City properties.
• We are partnering with communities and agencies such as the Task Force to Bring Back the Don and Rouge Park.

What action is needed?

Local residents, municipalities, conservation groups and other organizations are working to protect the entire 160 km stretch of the moraine from the Niagara Escarpment to Rice Lake. But no one group or municipality can achieve this.

We need the province and Premier Mike Harris to take a leadership role to preserve the moraine for now and future generations.

The Ontario government must put at least a temporary freeze on development and update its planning guidelines from the current interim guidelines set in 1991.

How can I help?

• Call, write, fax or e-mail your local councillor, MPP, MP and the Ontario Environment Commissioner.
• Ask schools to include the moraine in lesson planning and to take students on field trips.
• Enjoy a nature walk, or join some of the upcoming tours.